2. (common).—A dearth of work; to have a frost = to be idle.
Froudacious, Froudacity, adj. and subs. See quots.
1888. Colonies and India, 14 Nov. The word ‘Froudacity,’ invented by Mr. Darnell Davis in his able review of The Bow of Ulysses, recently published, has reached the height of popularity in the Australasian Colonies, where it has come into everyday use. In the Melbourne Assembly the other day an hon. member observed—speaking of some remarks made by a previous speaker—that he never heard [[78]]such froudacious statements in his life. The colonial papers are beginning, also, to spell the word with a small ‘f,’ which is significant.
1889. Graphic, 16 Feb. By exposing some of Mr. Froude’s manifold errors (the most dangerous is that which assumes the sour Waikato clays to be rich because they grow fern) he justifies the Australian adjective Froudacious.
Froust, subs. (Harrow School).—1. Extra sleep allowed on Sunday mornings and whole holidays. Fr., faire du lard.
2. (common).—A stink; stuffiness (in a room).
Frousty, adj. (common).—Stinking.
Frout, adj. (Winchester College).—Angry; vexed.
Frow (or Froe, or Vroe), subs. (old).—A woman; a wife; a mistress. [From the Dutch.]
1607. Dekker, Westward Ho, Act V., Sc. 1. Eat with ’em as hungerly as soldiers; drink as if we were froes.